Labeling machine



March 31. 1925. v 1,531,590

- A. M. AUGENSEN LABELING MACHINE INVENTOR. fiugzzsf' M flzg ensezz,

ATTORNEY.

UNITED [STA Patented Mar. 31, 1925.

AUGUST M. 'AUGENSEN. or LQS ANGIE-Les, cALIroRnIA.

v 1 LABELING Mama Application flied J'une 21, 192s. Seria1No.,646,784.

struction ofa machine for operating uponcans of any shape whatever, the invention as described in t-hefollowing, specification is adapted particularly for afiixin'g labelshto cans of unusualshape, for example, cans of oblong or oval shape. Cans of such shape cannot be labeled by means of an ordinary machine such as used for attaching labels to cylindrical cans. The general objector the invention is to provide a simple machine which will operate effectively to attach labels to cans and particularly to cans of special form; also to provide simple means for effecting the transfer of theadhesive to the fa'ce'of the can at separated points so as to operate effectively to hold the label and without necessitating the use of an adhesive throughout the entire area of the label. This renders the machine economical of adhesive. A further-object. ofthe invention is to provide simple means for holding a stack of labels and for effecting the application of the uppermost label to a can of unusual shape as it passes the label holdin'g means; also to provide simple means for feeding the stack of labels upwardly in the magazine so as to maintain a'substantially constant position or location for the uppermost label. of the stack. Further objects ofthe invention will appear-hereinafter.

The invention consists in the novel parts and combination of parts to be described hereinafter, all of whiehcontribute to produce an efficient labeling'machine.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is described in the following specification while the broad scope of the invention is:

pointed out in the. appended claims.

In the drawing; I

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a machine embodying my invention. g

Fig. 2 is "a side elevation of the machine with certain parts broken away. i

Fig. 3 is an ideal section taken about on the line 83 offFigure l and particularly illustrating the magazine and its operating, mechanism. I i

Fig. 4 is a section taken about on the line d4 of Figure 1.

The machine comprises a frame 1, the rear portion of which includes a post 2, the upperend of which forms a bearing for the shaft 3 of the machine. The forward portion .of the frame 1 comprises tWo vertical posts 4 which may be of relatively light construction. The type of machine illustrated is a verticaltype, that is to say, a type in which the rotary carrier for thexc'ans rotates in a vertical plane and the frame now being described is, of course, especially adapted for a machine ofthattype.

- In either casethe rotarycarrier is provided with means for holding the cans. I also. provide means for applying an adhesive to the face of each can and'provide a magazine or supporting means, for a' stack of labels near the path of the, cans. At a. properly synchronized moment the uppermost label is brought into contact with the adhesive point on the can and the mechanism; their operates to effect the wrapping of a label about the can. This is preferably accomplished by rotating the can after one end vof the label has been madeto adhere to PATENT v the adhesive point on theface of the can.

Opposite the ring Iprovide diameter of the can, see Figure 1. I The-end of the chute projects to a point near 'the' rings 7 and 8 in the space between them so that the foremost can in the chute is held yieldingly betweentwo springs 12 and 18 I which arefornied by the bending of the upper and lower walls of the chute toward each other. I provide a plurality of holding means for thecans and theseholding means are of identical construction and disposed equidistant around the spider; they are mounted so as to hold the canibetween the rings 7 and 8. Each-"holdingdevice comprises a head or clamping plate 14, see Figure 2, which is carried on the end of arotary stem 15, said stem being mounted to rotate freely in a post or boss 16, formed integrally on the ring 7. The inner end of the stem projects beyond the bearing or post 16 and carries means to cooperate with other parts of the mechanism to effect a timed rotation of the can when desired. This means is in the form of a smallpinion 17.

Opposite to each clamping plate 14 a spring actuated clamping plunger'l8 is provided, and each plunger includes a disc head 19 carried on a stem 20. Each stem is provided with a collar 21 at its outer end, and a coil spring 22 is disposed between the collar and the plate 8, it being understood that each stem slides freely through an opening for it in the plate 8. In this way the spring 22 normally holds the plunger 18 in a retracted position, that is to say, t holds the head 19 far enough away to permit the foremost can in the feeding chute to be received in the space between the head 19 and the plate 14 as the machine rotates. During the operation of the machine as each holding device comes into position opposite the foremost can in the feed chute 11, a cam ring 23 which is formed integral with the posts 4 engages the end of the stem 'and shoves the plunger 18 inwardly so as to clamp the can between the plates 14 and 1.9. I provide independent means for applying the adhesive to the ends of the oval of the can, and for this purpose I provide reservoir-means which, in the present instance, includes two reservoirs 24 and 25, see Figure 1, which are disposed near each other, and each reservoir contains an adhesive substance such as paste or mucilage.

These reservoirs are provided with wallowers 26 and 27 which are simple rollers of slightly elastic ,material and mounted with their axes of rotation parallel with the shaft 3. Adjacent this reservoir-means the frame of the machine is'provided with a short segment 28, the teeth of which engage the teeth of the pinion 17 and cause a rotation of the can which is suflicient to turn the can completely over, rotating the same on the axis of the stem 15. As this rotation takes place, one end of the can comes against the face of the wallower 26 and has transferred to it a small quantityof adhesive; as the rotation continues the other end of the can engages in the same way with the face of the roller 27 In this connection it should be understood that the faces of these rollers aredisposed close to the path of movement of the cans.

I shall now describe the preferred means for applying the label to the can and for effecting the wrapping of the label about the can. This mechanism is preferably so I constructedthatinstead of providing means for engaging the label to wrap it around the can, I simply carry the can in a position such that one of its adhesive ends presents itself near one end of the uppermost label of the stack of labels in the label magazine and I then preferably give the label magazine a slight movement toward the path of the can so as to press one end of the label against the face of the can. The mechanism then automatically rotates the can and this wraps the label about it. In order to accomplish this I provide a label holder or magazine 29 which is movably mounted on the frame of the magazine, within the circumference of the spider, and supported to rock on a rocking pin 30 sup ported on a horizontal frame bar 31, see Figure 1-. That is to say, I provide a container or box 32 which carries a stack 33 of labels between its vertical side plates 34, said box being supported on aj-horizontal foot 35-formed at the upper end of a rocker arm 36 which is supported on the said rocking pin 30.. The bottom of this box 32 is preferably slightly curved, as shown, and the labels-are supported in the box on a follower 37 carried on a bar or rack 38 which extends down through the bottom of the magazine so that its lower end lies adjacent to the end face 39 formed on the end of the shaft 3 of the spider. The rocker arm 36 is of bell-crank type and has a substantially horizontal arm or bar 40 which carries a large stud 41 attached to it on v the inside. Through an opening in this stud the aforesaid rack 38 slides freely. I provide automatic means for shoving the rack 38 upwardly at each revolution of the machine so as to hold the stack of labelsup to their operating level. For this purpose the edge of the rack 38 adjacent to the shaft 3 is provided with inclined ratchet teeth 42, and pivotally mounted ona post 40* car ried by the arm 40 I provide a pawl carrier.

43 having a spring pressed pawl 44 which engages the teeth 42. At each revolution of the shaft apin 45 onthe end of the shaft strikes this pawl carrier 43 and gives the pawl 44 a slight upward movement which raises or slides the rack 38 upwardly through the stud 41. On the end of the stud 41 I provide aspring pressed detent pawl 46, and this pawl engages with thetjeeth 42 after each upward movement and prevents the rack from moving back. The

cans which are on the rising side of the machine, that is to say, the right hand side as viewed in Figure 1, are in a position such that longitudinal axis of the can is substantially radial on the spider. In this position the inner end of the can will come into place very near the right hand end of the'label magazine, it'being understood that this end of the label magazine is very near the path of the inner end of the cans. Just as the can.

can arrives opposite to the right hand end of the label magazine, synchronizedmeclr anism operates to advance the magazine toward the path of the can so as to cooperate with the can and the other parts of the inachine to effect the application of the uppermost label to the face of the can. For this purpose I provide a lever mechanism actuated by the collars 21 of the plunge'rs 18. This lever mechanism comprises a main lever 47, see Figure 1, the outer end of which projects into the path of the collars -21, and the inner end of which is connected by a link 48 with the swinging end of the magazine 29. lVith this construction it will be evident that as the proper collar strikes the lever 4-7 it will rock on its fulcrum 49 on the post at and pull the left hand end of the magazine upwardly. By reason of the length of the arm 36 of the support for the magazine, it will be evident that the right hand end ofthe magazine will not only be raised but will begiven a travel toward the pinion 17 which corresponds to this can.

As the can rotates it wraps the label around itself. The labels are long enough to completely encircle the can. Although the machine as described above will operate to apply labels effectively, I prefer to provide pressing means for pressing the label against the face of the can after it has been aihxed to it. volves the use of small rollers which yield ingly engage the face of the can as it passes them. These presser devices are illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, in which 51 indicates a roller supported on the end of an arm 56 projecting in from an extension of one of the posts 4:. This roller has a shaft53 which projects through slots formed in side plates 54: and, if desired, springs may be provided to engage the projecting'ends of the shaft and force the roller downwardly; in other words the springs yieldingly hold the roller against the label as the can passes. In addition to this I also provide a small presser roller 55, see Figure 1, carried on the end of the spring arm 56 which is also supported on the extension of the post 1.

The length of the labels is sufficient to enable their ends to overlap each other slightly, and after the labeled can has passed the presser rollers, the labels will adhere effectively to the cans. One of the rollers operates to press one end of the can and the other roller presses the'other end of the In order to rotate the can to efi'ect this mode of operationit is simply necessary to extend the segment 50 sufficiently to This pressing means preferably inkeep the'can rotating in its holder. As soon as a labeled can has passed the presser rollers then the holder carrying it comes opposite the cam 23 and this releases the labeled can and permits it to fall into a tie livery chute I 1 The cans 10 l ave countersunk heads with a marginal bead; and theholcler plates 14 are oval shape and fit neatly into the countersunk head, so that the head on the can engages the edge of the plate. '14, insuring that the holders will hold the cans securely.

It is understood that the embodiment of the invention described herein is only one of the inany embodiments this invention may take, and I do not wish to be limited in the practice of the, invention nor intli'e f claims, to the forth.

What I claim is 1. In a can labeling'machine, bination of a-rotary carrier having means for holding a plurality of cans, means for supporting va stack of labels near the path of movement of the cans, means for apply ing an adhesive to the cans, means for moving a stack of labels periodically into poparticular em-b odimment set the comsition and withdrawing the same, to effect most label to one of the cans, means for rotating the can thereafter to wrap the label upon it, and presse'r means for pressing the label againstthe face-of the can.

3. In a can labeling niachinepthe combination of a rotary carrier-for holding the cans, rotary holding devices mounted thereon, and carrying the cans, means for rotating the holding devices and for ap plying an adhesive to the face of each can at two separated points, and means-tor ap plying a label to the face of the can and for effecting the i i rapping of the label upon the can over the adhesive;

4:; In a can labeling machine, the coinbination of arotary carrier forholding the cans, a label magazine supported .within the circumference of the carrier and op crating to hold'thelabels nearthe path bf movement of the cans,f means for; applying adhesive to the cans," means for actuating the magazine periodically to move the same forward and withdraw it, to cooperate "with the cans and apply a' label to each can as it passes the magazine, and means for rotating the can thereafter to Wrap the label upon it. 1

5. In a canlabeling machine, the com-- bination of a rotary carrier for holding the cans, a label magazine supported Within the circumference of the carrier and operating to hold the labels near the path of movement of the cans, means for applying adhesive to the cans, means for actuating the magazine periodically to move the same for- Ward and Withdraw it, to cooperate with the cans and apply a label to each can as it passes the magazine, and means for rotating the can thereafter to Wrap the label upon it, and presser means for pressing the affixed label against the face of the can.

6. In a can labeling machine for labeling oval-shaped cans, the combination of a carrier for holding the cans, means for applying an adhesive to the face of each can at one of its ends, means for applying an ad hesive tothe face of each can at its other I end, and means for applying a label to the face of the can, and for Wrapping the same about the can.

7. In a canlabeling machine for labeling ovalshaped cans, the combination of a carrier for holding the cans, means for applying an adhesive to the face of each can at one of its ends, HIGH/11811601 applying an adhesive to the face of each can at its other end, and presser means for pressing the affixed label against the face of the can.

8. In a can labeling machine for labeling oblong or oval-shaped cans, the combination of a rotary carrier for holding the cans, means for supporting a stack of labels near the path of movement of the cans, means for applying an adhesive to the face of each can at the ends of the oval of the can, means for applying a label to one end of the can, and means for rotating the can and simultaneously effecting the application of a label to each can over theadhesive and for Wrapping the label about the can.

9. In a can labeling machine for labeling oblong or oval-shaped cans, the combination of a rotary carrier for holding the cans, means for supporting a stack of labels near v the path of movement of the cans, means for applying an adhesive to the face of each can at the ends of the oval of the can, means foreffecting the application of one end of a label to the end of each can overthe adhesive, means for rotating the can to-Wrap I the label about the can, and presser means for pressing the label against the face of the can thereafter.

10. In a can labeling machine for labeling oblong or oval-shaped cans, the combination of a rotary carrier for holding the cans, a reservoir for holding an adhesive substance, a'wallower in the reservoir for taking up the adhesive and having-its. face disposed near the path of movement of the cans,

means for rotating each can as it passes the WalloWer to move the ends of the oval partof the canagainst the WalloWer to apply adhesive to the can, and means for applying a label to the face of the can and for Wrapping the same about the can thereafter.

11. In a can labeling machine for labeling oblong or oval-shaped cans, the combination of a rotary carrier for holding the cans, a reservoir for holding an adhesive substance, a Walloiver in the reservoir for taking up the adhesive, and having its face. disposed near the path of movement of the cans, means for rotating each can as itpasses the WalloWer to move the ends of the oval part of the can against the WallOWer to apply adhesive to the can, means for applying a label to the face of the can and for wrapping the same about the can thereafter, and presser means for pressing the label against-- the face of the can thereafter.

12. In a can labeling machine for labeling oblong or oval-shaped cans, the combination of a rotary carrier for holding the cans, a reservoirfor holding an adhesive substance, a Wallovver in the reservoir for taking up the adhesive, and having its face disposed near the path of movement of the cans, means for rotating each can as it passes the Wallovver to move the endsof theoval part of the can against the WalloWer' to apply adhesive to the can, and means for applying a label to the face of the can and for wrapping the same about the can, thereafter, a yieldingly supported presser roller in the path of the can after it has passed the adhesive reservoir, and means for rotating the can to cause the presser roller to Wipe along the Wallovvers and its opposite end face .to-

the other Wallo'vver to transfer adhesive to the can, and means for applying a label to the can thereafter and for Wrapping the same about the can.

14:. In a can'labeling machine for labeling oblong or oval-shaped cans, the combination of a rotary carrier for holding the cans, reservoir means for holdlng an adheslve sub stance, a pair of WalloWers associated with the reservoir means for picking up the adhesive and disposed near the path of movement of the cans, means for rotating each near the path of the cans, means for applying adhesive to the face of the can, means for synchronously advancing the label magazine toward the path of the cans so as to apply the uppermost label of the magazine to the adhesive on the can, means for rotating the can thereafter to wrap the label about it, and automatic means for feeding forward the stack of labels in the magazine periodically as the labels are taken from the stack.

16. In a can labeling machine, the combination of a rotary carrier for holding the cans, a label magazine mounted to rock near the path of the cans, means for applying adhesive to the face of the can, means for synchronously rocking the label magazine so as to bring the uppermost label substantially into the path of movement of the face of the can so as to 'afiix the same to the adhesive point on the can, and means for rotating the can thereafter to wrap the label upon it.

17. In a can labeling machine, the combination of a rotary carrier for holding the cans, a label magazine mounted to rock near the path of the cans, means for applying adhesive to the face of the can, means for synchronously rocking "the label magazine so as to bring the uppermost label substantially into the path of movement of the face of the can so as to afiix the same to the adhesive point on the can, means for rotating the can thereafter to wrap the label upon it,

and automatic means for feeding the labels in the magazine toward the path of the cans.

18. In a can labeling machine, the combination of a rotary carrier for holding the cans, a label magazlne for holdlng a. stack of labels and mounted to rock near the path of the cans, means for applying adhesive to the face of the can, means for synchronously rocking the magazine substantially into the path of the cans, and means for rotatingthe can when opposite the label magazineand in contact with the uppermost label so as to. wrap the label about the can.

19. In a can labeling machine, the combination of a rotary carrier for holding the cans, a label magazine, including a follower for supporting a stack of labels, means for i a supporting the magazine so as to rock substantially into the path of movement of the cans, means for holding the can as it passes the magazine in position so that the adhesive point on the can is located toward the uppermost label, means for synchronously rocking the magazine to bring the uppermost label in contact with the adhesive point on the can, and means for rotating the can thereafter to wrap the label about it.

20. In acan labeling machine, the combination of a rotary carrier for holding the cans, a label magazine, including a follower for supporting a stack of labels, means for supporting the magazine so as to rock substantially into the path of movement of the cans, means for holding the can as it passes the magazine in position so that the adhesive point on the can is located toward the uppermost label, means for synchronously rocking the magazine to bring the uppermost label in contact with the adhesive point on the can, means for rotating the can thereafter to wrap the label about it, and automatic means for feeding the follower upwardly as the labels are taken from the stack.

Signed at Los Angeles, Calif, this 14th, 

